What is the Longevity Research Library?

The Longevity Austria Research Library curates recent peer-reviewed studies on longevity, nutrition, exercise, sleep, and supplements. Each study is rated by evidence strength: Strong, Moderate, or Preliminary.

How are evidence levels determined?

Evidence levels are based on study type (meta-analysis, RCT, cohort study), sample size, journal impact factor, and reproducibility of findings.

Research Digest

Research Library

Peer-reviewed papers from top journals, summarized and graded by evidence strength. Updated Mon, Wed & Fri.

Evidence

13/93

Topic

May 17–23, 2026

1 study

dietary restriction

A Tiny RNA Fragment May Be Key to How Fasting Extends Lifespan

Scientists found that an enzyme called DIS3 chops transfer RNAs into small pieces that help slow aging. In worms, one fragment called 5'-tRH-Gln was needed for the lifespan boost from dietary restriction. The same system delayed cell aging in mammalian cells, pointing to a shared longevity mechanism across species.

Nature communications·Preliminary·May 21, 2026

May 10–16, 2026

1 study

NAD+

Blood NAD+ Levels Stay Flat With Age, Challenging Popular Aging Theory

One of the most repeated ideas in longevity is that NAD+ declines as we age, a story that helped make NR and NMN household names in the space. This large, carefully controlled study takes a closer look. Across seven independent cohorts and more than 300 people, researchers found that whole-blood NAD+ levels stayed remarkably stable with age, and didn't shift meaningfully in response to exercise, protein-rich diets, or multimodal lifestyle interventions in older adults. Importantly, NR supplementation did raise blood NAD+ as expected, confirming that the supplements work pharmacologically, the question is just whether blood NAD+ is the right thing to be measuring in the first place.

Nature metabolism·Strong·May 14, 2026

May 3–9, 2026

2 studies

spermidine

Spermidine May Protect the Liver by Reshaping Cell Communication

Spermidine, a compound found in foods like wheat germ and aged cheese, may help slow liver scarring. In mice and lab studies, it changed how key liver cells talk to each other, reducing fibrosis. Human dietary data also linked higher spermidine intake to lower fibrosis risk.

Cell death discovery·Preliminary·May 7, 2026

dementia

Mediterranean and MIND Diets Linked to Lower Dementia Risk in Korean Adults

In a 20-year study of over 5,000 Korean adults, those who stuck closest to the Mediterranean, MIND, or Korean Healthy Eating diets had about 20% lower odds of developing high dementia risk scores. Meanwhile, people eating the most inflammatory foods saw their risk climb. The takeaway lines up with what we already suspect about brain-friendly eating, but it's the first solid evidence in a Korean population.

GeroScience·Moderate·May 4, 2026

Apr 26 – May 2, 2026

1 study

nutrition

Better Diet Linked to Slower Epigenetic Aging, But Exercise Steals the Show

In two large U.S. studies of older adults, eating a higher-quality diet was tied to slower epigenetic aging and lower death risk. About 44% of the diet-mortality link was explained by GrimAge, a biological aging clock. But when researchers accounted for physical activity, the diet effect mostly disappeared. Movement may matter as much as the menu.

Aging cell·Moderate·May 1, 2026

Apr 19–25, 2026

1 study

cognitive decline

Healthy Lifestyle Didn't Change Brain Scans, But Still Helped At-Risk Seniors

In older adults at risk for cognitive decline, a two-year program of exercise, better diet, and social engagement didn't visibly change brain biomarkers like amyloid or shrinkage. But people who started with smaller hippocampi (the brain's memory hub) got more cognitive benefit from the structured version. So the lifestyle changes may help thinking even without obviously reshaping the brain.

JAMA neurology·Strong·Apr 20, 2026

Apr 5–11, 2026

2 studies

cognition

Eating More Fruits, Fish, Nuts, and Dairy Tied to Slower Cognitive Decline

In over 3,000 Chinese older adults tracked for about five years, those who ate more from six protective food groups (fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, fish, and dairy) showed slower cognitive decline. People scoring highest on this diet scale declined about 0.42 points per year slower on a cognitive test compared to those scoring lowest. The effect was modest but consistent across different ways of measuring cognition.

NPJ science of food·Moderate·Apr 9, 2026

aging

Structured Lifestyle Programs Cut Frailty More Than DIY Approaches

A two-year trial compared two lifestyle programs, both involving exercise, diet, social activity, and health monitoring, in over 2,000 older adults at risk for cognitive decline. The structured version (with more accountability and intensity) reduced a frailty index nearly three times more than the self-guided version. This benefit held across age groups, sexes, and body weights. Interestingly though, the frailty improvements didn't explain the cognitive benefits of the structured program, suggesting separate mechanisms.

The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences·Strong·Apr 6, 2026

Mar 29 – Apr 4, 2026

1 study

obesity

For Older Adults With Obesity, Diet Plus Exercise Plus Coaching Beats Any Single Fix

Combining calorie restriction, exercise, and behavioral coaching improved physical function in older adults with obesity more than any single approach alone. That triple combo also reduced body fat without significantly cutting lean mass or bone density. The physical function finding had high-certainty evidence, while body composition results were less certain. Data on quality of life and psychological outcomes were too limited to draw conclusions.

Obesity reviews : an official journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity·Strong·Apr 3, 2026

Mar 22–28, 2026

1 study

frailty

Anti-Inflammatory Foods May Lower Frailty Risk as You Age

Certain blood metabolites tied to fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes were linked to lower frailty risk in nearly 10,000 Canadian adults aged 45-85. The protective effect worked partly by reducing inflammation markers. On the flip side, a high omega-6 to omega-3 ratio and processed meat metabolites were tied to higher frailty risk through increased inflammation. The study tracked participants over three years, connecting dietary patterns to measurable metabolic changes.

npj aging·Moderate·Mar 23, 2026

Mar 1–7, 2026

1 study

diet

Mediterranean Diet Linked to Lower Death Risk Across 1.8 Million People

Pooling 54 studies with over 1.8 million participants, each one-point bump on a Mediterranean diet score was linked to a 4% lower risk of dying from any cause. The studies covered diverse populations worldwide, with follow-up periods ranging from 2 to 60 years. Evidence certainty was rated moderate, meaning the association is fairly reliable but not ironclad.

Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.)·Strong·Mar 4, 2026

Feb 22–28, 2026

1 study

diet

Sticking With Mediterranean or MIND Diets Linked to Lower Dementia Risk

Following a Mediterranean or MIND diet long-term was linked to meaningful reductions in dementia risk in a study of over 130,000 U.S. nurses and health professionals. Those with the highest Mediterranean diet scores had 21% lower dementia risk, while top MIND diet followers had 14% lower risk. Higher adherence was also tied to 0.75 to 1.59 fewer years of cognitive aging and roughly 40% lower risk of self-reported cognitive decline. Even people who improved their diet over 4 or 8 years saw similar benefits.

Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association·Strong·Mar 1, 2026

Disclaimer: Research summaries are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your health routine.

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